Apparatus for dispersing liquid



March 27, 1945. F. s. PILKINGTON I I APPARATUS FOR DISPERSING LIQUID Fiied May 5, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet 1 wdawew i March 27, 1945 Ffs. PILKINGTON ,3

APPARATUS FOR DISPERS'I NG LIQUID A Filed-May 5, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet 2 March 27, 1945- i F. s PlLKlNGTON ,5

APPARATUS FOR DISPERSING LIQUID I Filed May 5, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 27, 1945 APPARATUS FOR DISPERSING LIQUID Francis Stephen Pilkington, Hull, England, as-

signor to Charles D. .Holmes and Company Limited, Hull, England Application May 5, 1943, Serial No. 485,776 In Great Britain December 15, 1942 13 Claims. (Cl. 266-38) This invention relates to devices for feedingheavy liquids and for pumping such liquids from one point to another.

The term heavy liquid used above and throughout this specification is intended tomean a substance of high specific gravity in a state of fluidity, and in particular low melting point metal alloys in a heated molten state.

Low melting point metal alloys are extensively used for filling pipes and tubes prior to their be-v ing bent either by hand or by machine methods but in spite of this large user of these alloys, no apparatus at present exists for transferring the molten metal from a reservoir or receptacle in which they .are melted to the pipes to be filled;

It has certainly been proposed to feed the metal by gravity through a tap but this can only be accomplished with difliculty on account of sludging at the tap due to cooling of the molten metal.

The low melting point metal alloys used for:

fllling pipes are liable to oxidation and to avoid this disadvantage are usually submerged in water which is kept hot for the purpose of melting the alloy and maintaining it in a molten state. To accomplish the filling of pipes, it has been necessary to ladle the molten metal with the result that water and metal are poured into the pipes so causing the protective film of oil customarily .provided when manipulating copper and similar pipes to be washed out.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a device for feeding or transferring molten low melting alloys from a reservoir or other receptacle to another point which is intended to eliminate any possible disadvantagedue to unintentional cooling of the metal alloy and at the same time secure eflicient operation with safety with avoidance of the possibility of oxidation so that the molten metal may be taken from the reservoir to a point convenient for filling pipes orother purposes free or substantially free from the water in which it is submerged.

To this end, according to the present invention, the device comprises a chamber capable of" con taining a column of water which has a port at its lower end for the admission of heavy liquid, a

sure is released and any heavy liquid in the delivery will return to the chamber so preventing possible trouble due to the heavy liquid remaining All) in the delivery.

According to a further feature of the invention, the ports are connected together for simultaneous movement and are urged both in opening and closing direction by fluid pressure. 1

According to a still further feature of the invention, a non-return valve is provided for permitting water, for example the water covering a low melting point alloy, to enter the chamber to maintain the column of water therein.

According to yet another feature of the inven tion a bafile is provided within the chamber adjacent to the delivery outlet and so arranged as to reduce any tendency for the Water or air to above water.

port at its upper end opening to atmosphere and means for feeding fluid under pressure a to the upper end of the chamber such that after closing the ports heavy liquid in the bottom of the chamher will be expelled from the chamber through an outlet provided for that purpose by the fluid pressure created in the chamber acting through the column of water.

When the ports are again opened the fluid presbe forced through the heavy liquid.

According to yet a still further feature of the invention, the upper valve seats on a resiliently mounted member in order to ensure closing of the lower port.

The feeding device is particularly intended to he placed in the tank containing the molten low melting point alloy and hot water and is partially submerged therein so that only the upper end with the top port and the end of the delivery is The device is preferably made fast to the tank and the line leading the-fluid under pressure, for example compressed air, to the device is preferably out of the water in order to avoid appreciable heating up of the air.

In order that the invention may be clearly un derstood and readily carried into eiiect a pre tank,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1, l

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken on the line IIIIII on Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view showing a bafiie over the delivery outlet,

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 5 showing the bafile in section,

Figure 7 is a section through the controlling valve taken on the line VII-VII of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a front view of the ported valve chest, and

Figure 9 is a front view of the valve member. .Referring now to the said drawings and in particular to Figures 1 to 4, the device comprises a tubular chamber I which is closed oil at its lower end by a transverse partition 2 in which is provided a non-return valve 3 of poppet type having extension guides. The upper end of the chamber I is closed off by an end plate 4 in which is provided a non-return valve 5 also of poppet type which seats on a member 6 having a flange I between which and the end plate 4 is a resilient packing. A valve rod 8, which may be adjustable as to length, connects the valves 3 and 5 for simultaneous movement.

The valves 3 and 5 are so related, or the length of the rod 8 is adjusted. that both these valves close together. Due however to the resilient mounting of the seat member 6, the valve 5 may continue to move until the valve 3 has been seated. In this way there is automatic compensation for expansion due to temperature changes since of course the initial setting of the valves will normally be done cold and clearance must be left for expansion of the rod 8.

The upper end of the valve rod 8 beyond the valve 5 is connected to the piston rod 9 of a double acting piston I within the cylinder I I which is supported above the end plate 4 by brackets I2.

The lower end I3 oi the chamber I may be of larger diameter as shown since the larger the diameter of that portion of the device the greater will be its capacity to receive heavy liquid and the larger will be the quantity delivered at each operation as will be appreciated from the explanation of the operation given hereafter. The lower end of the chamber extends beyond the transverse partition 2 and the end thereof is intended to rest on the bottom of the tank or other receptacle in which the device is used. This extension portion is provided with a number of apertures I4 for the passage of the heavy liquid and. for filtering oil? solid bodies although this danger is small in the case of low melting point alloys since iron will float on the molten low melting point alloys available on the market.

Near the upper end of the chamber there is provided an inlet I for fluid under pressure and an inlet I 5 associated with a non-return valve I! for permitting water to enter the chamber whilst preventing escape of fluid therefrom. At the bottom of the chamber is an outlet aperture I8 leading to a delivery pipe I9 which terminates in a nozzle 20.

The nozzle 2!! is interchangeable with nozzles of different aperture and the delivery pipe is preferably pivotable about a vertical axis and in the embodiment shown swivels in a coupling 2| on an outlet pipe 22 leading from the aperture I8 at the bottom of the chamber. .A handle 23 is provided at the uppermost point of the delivery pipe I9 for the convenient moving of its free end and in order to prevent strain on the pipe a supporting bracket 24 is mounted on the outside of the chamber I.

A baffle plate 25 is attached to the walls of the chamber in the region of the outlet aperture I8; the arrangement being such that a narrow space is left between the edge of the bafile and the transverse partition 2 through which the heavy fluid may be forced. The advantage of this baffle is that it prevents the water or water and air bevalve chamber and a fluid pressure line connected ing forced through the heavy liquid and out through the aperture I8.

Near the upper end of the chamber I there is provided a valve 25 for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to the cylinder II and chamber I. The valve 26 is illustrated in detail in Figures '7, 8 and 9 and. comprises a chamber having a rotatable spindle 44 on the. end of which is an operating handle 21. Within the valve chamber the spindle 44 carries a valve member 45 seen in section in Figure '7 and having the shape shown in Figure 9.

The valve member 45 on its under-surface has a recess 46 and is arranged to slide over the ported chest 41. Air inlet port I leads into the toa convenient source of pressurised fluid such as compressed air is connected at 28 so that the compressed air will enter through the port I. A further port L communicates with a conduit 29 leading to the underside of the piston III in the cylinder I I. A third port U communicates through a conduit 30 with the upper side of the piston III, A fourth port C communicates through a conduit '3I with the interior of the chamber I through the inlet I5. In this conduit 3| is a pressure regulating valve 32 provided with a handwheel 33 for regulating the flow of fluid pressure to the chamber I.

' A central port A is open to atmosphere.

The arrangement of this valve is such that with the valve member in normal position the ports I I and L are open whilst the ports U and A are in fluid in the chamber will tend to press the valve. ".60.

communication through the recess 46 whilst the port 0 is closed by the portion 45? of the valve member 45.

On rotating the valve member 45 inanticlockwise direction relative to Figure 8 the Web of the valve member 45 closes the ports L and U and thereafter places the ports I and U in communication and the ports L and A in communication.

During this time the portion IS still blocks the port C. On the valve member 45 reaching its limit position the portion 45* passes beyond the port C to place it in communication with the port I whilst the ports I and U are still in communication as are also the ports L and A.

In order to apply the air pressure to the chamber progressively the leading ed e C of t e p C tapers and as the edge of the portion 45 moves around a gradually increased area of the port C is exposed.

On reverse movement of the handle 21 and valve member 45 a reverse sequence of operations takes place when the portion C of the port C avoids any disadvantages due to too rapid shut ofi of that port.

It is also to be noted that the pressure of the member 45 ontothe face of the ported chest 41 and that in the operation of the valve when the one side of the piston I0 is applied with fluid under pressure the other side of the piston is placed in communication with the atmosphere. Thus-to close the valves 3 and 5 the handle 21 is rotated to place the ports I and U in communication and the ports L and A in communication. The fluid pressure through the conduit 30 causes the piston to move downwardly in its cylinder II until the valves 3 and 5 are closed. The operating handle 21 is reversed to bring about opening of the valves 3 and 5 when the ports I and L again communicate as well as the ports U and A. The fluid pressure under the piston IU- lifts it and during this movement the pressure of the fluid in reverse the valve 25.

" the chamber .by acting on the valve .assists in lifting it. r

It will be appreciated that any other convenient construction of valve serving to regulate the fluid pressure to the cylinder II and chamber 1 ranged within an outer tank 35. The minimum level for the molten metal. is indicated by the line 36 whilst the water level is shown by the line 31. As iron will float on molten low melting point alloys the device must be secured to the tank in which it is used and this is most conveniently accomplished by attaching it to the bottom thereof. In the present instance rods 38 are welded .or otherwise made fast to the bottom of the tank and. these rods pass through apertured lugs 39 near the top of the chamber l and are there threaded to receive wing nuts or the equivalent 4!) which, by hearing on the lugs 39, force the device against the bottom of the tank 34. Where the lower portion of the chamber, is enlarged as at l3, tubes 42 extend through this enlarged portion for the accommodation of the rods 38.

I In using the device it is mounted as described above in a tank or in the inner of a double tank wherein there is a heavy liquid, such as molten low melting point metal alloy covered with hot water which extends up near to the top of the device. The device is secured in position with; I the aid of the rods 38 referred to above and a fluid "pressure line is connected at 28 to the valve 25.

Now, with the handle 21 in its normal position the fluid pressure lifts the piston Hi and opens the valves 3 and 5. This permits the heavy liquid to valves 3 and 5 which is assisted by .the pressure within the chamber actingon the valve 5. The

fluid pressure in the chamber is relieved through the valve 5 and on opening of the valve 3 further heavy liquid may enter through the port of that valve and any heavy liquid in the delivery pipe 19 will return to the chamber I. Due to this return i of the fluid in thedelivery pipe 19 the possibility return valve IT to maintain an adequate column of water. At all times there is water between the molten metal in chamber and the compressed air so that oxidation of the metal is avoided and possibility of the air expelling the metal in a dangerous manner eliminated.

In order that the column of water shall remain substantially the ruling temperature of the water in the tanks 34 and 35 in order to avoid any cooling of the molten metal in the chamber, a plural ity of pipes 4i extend into the chamber through the walls thereof at two points one above-the other so that the ambient water may circulate through these pipes and maintain the temperature of the water in the chamber l.

During use of the apparatus the speed of deliv-' ery' of the heavy liquid is always under the control of the operator as he may adjust the supply of fluid pressure by means of the valve 32 to obtain a constant rate of delivery or he may vary the angular setting of the handle 21 to alter the effective area of the port C for temporarily varyenter theport enclosed by the valve 3 and rise up to a level of that liquid in the tank 34. Water may also flow in through the non-return valve 11 to the level of the water in the tanks 34 and 35.

by means of the handle 23 to position the nozzle above the pipe or article to be filled." The to atmosphere and connecting the conduit 3!! to handle 21 is now moved so opening the conduit 29 fluid-under pressure whereby the piston I 0 is moved downwardly with consequent closing of the valves 3 and 5. The chamber in this condition is virtually sealed. On further movement of i the handle ZI'into its other limit position the-- fluid under pressure in addition to passing through the conduit 30 flows through the portC and conduit 3| through the aperture l5 into the chamber l above the column of water therein. The'pressure of this fluid acting on the incom-" pressible column of Water forces it downwardly so that the heavy liquid at the bottom of the chamiber i is forced between the batlle 25 and transverse partition 2 through the orifice l8 and up the delivery pipe I9 to be dischargedthrough the nozzle 20. The heavy liquid will continue to be discharged until the chamber is substantially emptied Of such liquid and if the operator con- 'tinues to apply fluid pressuretoo long there will be a discharge of water which will warn him to On reversing the valve 26 the conduit 30is opened to atmosphere and the conduit 3| is closed whilst the conduit 29 is again V connected to the fluid pressure causing upward movement of the piston 10 and opening of the The pipe or other article to be filled is placed under the nozzle 2 0'or thedelivery'pipe is moved mg the rate of delivery.

Amongst the advantages of the apparatus it may be pointed out that it draws in a fresh charge of molten metal from the bottom so that only clean metal will enter the chamber since dross and impurities will float to th top.

What I claim isf 1. Apparatus for delivering heavy liquids such as molten low melting point metal alloys, comprising a hollow chamber capable of containing a column of water, a port at the lower end of said chamber for admission of the heavy liquid into said hollow chamber, a port at the upper end of said chamber opening to atmosphere; means for from said discharge port, and means, operable to admit gaseous fluid under pressure to the upper part of said chamber above the Water such that with the upper and lower end ports closed the heavy liquid will be drivenout of said discharge port. V

2. Apparatus for delivering heavy liquids such as molten low melting point metal alloys, comprising a tubular housing intended to contain Water, a valve at the lower end. of said housing opened to admit the heavy liquid, means for operating said valve a valve at the upper end of said housing open to atmosphere, means forclosing said valve open to atmosphere, a discharge port at the lower end of. said housing, a flexible delivmeans for admitting compressed fluid to the upper part of said housing such with said valves closed a fluid pressure will be built up in said housing to force the heavy liquid out through said discharge port. a

3. Apparatus for delivering heavy liquids such as? molten. low melting point metal alloys, comprising a. hollow casing; valve means at top and botton'roi said: casing, adischarge port opening into. a delivery pipe, pressure responsive means for causing opening and closing of said valves, and. means for admitting gaseous fluid to said; pressure responsive means to close said valves and to said casing to create a fluid. pressure: therein which will force the heavy liquid out through said discharge port and said delivery pipe.

4 Apparatus for delivering heavy liquids such as molten low melting point metal alloys, including a. hollow vessel, valve means at the top and at the bottom of said vessel, means for opening and closing said valve means together, a discharge port near the bottom of said vessel and opening into a delivery conduit, a baflie within said vessel such that liquid passing out'through said outlet port must pass between the edge of said baflle and the bottom of said vessel, and meansfor admitting gaseous fluid under pressure into the: top of said' vessel to force heavy liquid contained therein out through said discharge port and said conduit.

5; Apparatus for delivering heavy liquids such as molten low melting point metal alloys, comprising a hollow tubular vessel, valve means at the bottom of said vessel. for the admission of heavy liquid, valve means at the top of said vessel opening to atmosphere for relieving gaseous fluid pressure in said vessel, means connecting said valve means, means for causing opening and closing'of said valve means, a discharge port near the lower end of said vessel and opening into a delivery conduit, and means for admitting gaseous fluid under pressure near the top of said vessel to force heavy liquid therein out through said discharge port and delivery conduit.

6. Apparatus for delivering heavy liquids such as molten low melting point metal alloys, comprising a hollow tubular vessel, valvemeans at the bottom of said vessel for the admission of heavy liquid, valve means at the top of said vessel opening to atmosphere for relieving gase ous fluid pressure in said vessel, means connecting said valve means, pressure responsive means for causin opening and closing of said valve means, a discharge port near the lower end of.

said vessel and opening into a delivery conduit, means for admitting gaseous fluid under pressure near the top of said vessel to force heavy liquid therein out through said discharge port and delivery conduit, and valve means for ad-. mitting the gaseous fluid to said pressure re-' sponsive means to close said' valve means at the top and bottom of the vessel and then to said vessel to discharge the heavy liquid therein.

7. Apparatus for delivering heavy liquids such as molten low melting point metal alloys, including a hollow pressure resisting vessel, an aperture at the bottom of said vessel to permit flowing in of the heavy liquid, a valve member for closing said aperture, an aperture at the top of said vessel opening to atmosphere, a resilient seating around said top aperture, a valve member capable of seating on said resilient seating to close said top aperture, means for connecting said valve members for simultaneous movement, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder connected to one of said valve members, a discharge port near the lower end of said vessel opening to a delivery pipe, means for admitting gaseous fluid under pressure near the top of said vessel, and valve means for admitting gaseous fluid under pressure first to: one side of said cylinder to move the piston to cause said valve members to close said. aperture, then to saidvessel to force heavy liquid therein out through said discharge port and said. delivery pipe, and finally to the opposite side of said cylinder to cause opening of said valvemembers to relieve the fluid pressure in said vessel and allow further heavy liquid to flow.

8.. Apparatus for delivering heavy liquids such as molten low melting point metal alloys, including a hollow pressure resisting vessel, an aperture at the bottom of said. vessel to permit flowing in of. the heavy liquid, a valve member for closing said aperture, an aperture at the top of said vessel opening to atmosphere, a resilient seating around said top aperture, a valve member capable of seating on said resilient seating to close said top aperture, means for connecting said valve members for simultaneous movement,

one way acting valve means for admitting water to said vessel, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder connected to one of said valve members, a discharge portnear the lower end of said vessel opening to a delivery. pipe, a baffle in said vessel adjacent said discharge port such that heavy liquid must pass between the edge of said baffle and the bottom of said vessel to reach said discharge port, means for admitting gaseous fluid under pressure near the top of said vessel to discharge the. heavy liquid therein out through said discharge port and said delivery pipe and. a three way valve which in one. posi tion connects one side of said cylinder to a source of fluid under pressure and the other side to atmosphere, in another position connects said source of fluid under pressure to the means for admitting it tov said vessel and in its third position reverses the connections to said cylinder.

9. Apparatus for delivering heavy liquids such as molten low melting point metal alloys, including a hollow vessel, valve means for the admission of heavy liquid into said vessel, valve means opening to atmosphere for relieving gaseous fluid'pressure within said vessel, means for opening and closing both of said valve means, a discharge port opening into a delivery pipe, and .means for admitting gaseous fluid under pressure into said vessel to force heavy liquid contained therein out through said discharge port and said delivery pipe.

' 10. Apparatus for discharging molten low melting point metal alloys from a tank containing such alloys submerged in hot water, including a hollow vessel which is partly submerged and extends into the molten alloy, valve means at the lower end of said vessel openable to permit the molten alloy to flow in, valve means at the upper end of said vessel openable to atmosphere, means permitting part of the hot water to enter the vessel, a discharge port at the lower end of said vessel opening into a delivery pipe, means for opening and closing both of said valves, and means for introducing gaseous fluid under pressure into said vessel to create a fluid pressure therein which will drive the water downwardly in said vessel to force the molten alloy therein out through said discharge port and said delivery pipe.

1].. Apparatus for discharging molten low melting point metal alloys from a tank containing such alloys submerged in hot water, including a hollow vessel which is partly submerged and extends into the molten alloy, valve means at the lower end of said vessel openable to permit the molten alloy to flow in, valve means at the upper end of said vessel openable to atmosphere, means for connecting together said valve means, pressure responsive means for urging said valve means in closing and in opening direction, one way acting valve means for permitting hot water to enter said vessel, a discharge port near the lower end of said vessel opening into a delivery pipe leading to above the water level, means for introducing gaseous fluid under pressure into said vessel to drive out molten metal therein, and valve means controlling the feeding of aseous fluid under pressure to said pressure responsive means and to said vessel.

12. Apparatus for discharging molten low melting point metal alloys from a tank containing such alloys submerged in hot water, as claimed in-claim 11 including means for circulating the hot water in the tank through said vessel.

13. Apparatus for discharging molten low melting point metal alloys from a tank containing such alloys submerged in hot water, including a vertically extending hollow tubular vessel which is partly submerged and extends into the molten alloy, valve means at the lowerend of said tubular vessel openable to permit the molten alloy to flow in, valve means at the upper end of said tubular vessel openable to atmosphere, one way acting means permitting part of the hot water to enter the vessel, a discharge port at the lower end of said vessel opening into a delivery pipe leading to above Water level, means for opening and closing both of said valves, a perforated extension on the lower end of said tubular vessel intended to rest on the bottom of the tank, means for introducing gaseous fluid under pressure into said vessel to create a fluid pressure therein which will drive the water downwardly in said vessel to force the molten alloy therein out through said discharge port and said delivery pipe, and means for securing said tubular vessel in the tank.

FRANCIS STEPHEN PILKING'I'ON. 

